Birdland

April is Jazz History Month and I’m quite excited by this. I have several jazz idols-Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Bud Powell, Louis Armstrong, among many others. But every jazz fan just needs to say two words-Charlie Parker.

Charlie Parker pretty much changed the jazz music of Louis Armstrong. Parker was often known as Bird because of his high flying solos and love for chicken. Bird invented what is often called “Bebop Jazz” which is the fast paced, ever changing chord progression type of jazz. Bird had this sense of harmony that was beyond any other jazz musician at the time. He would hear “phantom notes” in his head and it would be the underlying harmony of the lead line of the piece.

Bird was as a heroin addict and alcoholic…which plagued many jazz musicians at the time. Besides that aspect of his life…he was an amazing alto sax player. You know what’s funny about jazz music. It was invented in America, but we bashed it so much that jazz musicians had to go overseas to be accepted as musicians. Americans were into popular music and really turned their head from their own blood and sweat.

Bird was heavily accepted in Europe and often experimented with music. In fact when he was learning jazz he would play each song in all 12 keys. I’ve tried this and its extremely hard but it helps develop a sense of improvisation during tough chords. It also really expands your musical ear and knowledge and makes you feel secure when you’re up on the bandstand getting ready to rip out a solo.

I’ve found this online…a little tune called “Hot House” with Bird on sax and the great Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet. Jazz is a great form of music and if you’re looking for something new and exciting check out the numerous forms of jazz.